Hampshire
Hampshire SPACE scheme
The Supporting People, Families And Young Children Everyday
(SPACE) scheme in Hampshire is a successful service requested
increasingly within the Basingstoke area.
The scheme is in place to offer short and long term care and
education offers to vulnerable children. Anyone can refer a child
or family to the scheme, with referrals usually funded through the
referring agency or organisation.
Basingstoke, in particular, has developed good working
relationships with the local Children’s Services Locality Team, one
of a number of agencies offering a unique service in a relaxed home
setting.
Relaunched in July 2009, promotion and local success of the
scheme has led to more diverse use of the service, utilising more
of the unique accommodating features of the inclusive home-based
setting of the scheme.
The service we manage
The Hampshire Childminding Network managed by NCMA provides
childminders within the network with opportunities to access
training and develop their skills to enable effective care for the
children referred to the SPACE scheme. This builds on their minimum
NVQ level 3 qualification, whilst some have NVQ level 4 and above,
and some are also approved foster carers.
All SPACE carers also undergo advanced child protection training
and training applicable to support the positive management of
behaviour. Where there is additional training required, the
settings within the multi-agency forum work together to provide
this and the resources that may be needed for support. Many
childminders already have experience of a variety of complex needs
and strategies to support these needs.
The NCMA coordinator supports the choice of provider based on
the needs and provision offer and facilitates the successful
placement through support visits and liaison engaging with
professionals and family. Where applicable the coordinator may
identify opportunities to access further resources such as funding
or local resources.
The results
The scheme offers many opportunities for children in an
environment in which they can be supported and effectively helped
to achieve more, usually in conjunction with a multi-agency
approach to achievement. The outcomes from referrals to date have
enabled children to continue to achieve and progress in a stable,
non-threatening home from home environment, conducive to their
immediate needs. The success of SPACE suggests similar models
should be developed across other local authorities.
The service team
This team contains 19 members of staff providing services to
childminders throughout every stage of their childminding career.
Targeted support is offered at pre-registration to guide people
through the training process as well as post successful
registration activities to help home-based professionals to offer
high quality services to children, young people, their parents and
carers.
For more information, please contact Cara Parker, Service
Manager cara.parker@ncma.org.uk.
Page last updated:
11/17/2011